Yankees call up Zelous Wheeler, option Yangervis Solarte

After a brilliant start, Yangervis Solarte had slumped badly in recent weeks.(AP)

The New York Yankees made a roster move ahead of Thursday's series opener in Minnesota, selecting the contract of infielder Zelous Wheeler from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and adding him to both the 25-man and 40-man rosters.

In corresponding moves, the Yankees optioned infielder Yangervis Solarte to Triple-A to make room on the 25-man roster and opened a 40-man spot by designating infielder Dean Anna for assignment.

Wheeler, who was signed to a minor-league deal this offseason, had played 66 games for the RailRiders, hitting .299 with seven home runs, 31 RBI, 20 walks and an .834 OPS. He was lifted for a pinch-hitter during the first game of the RailRiders' doubleheader Wednesday night, fueling speculation that he would indeed be called up.

He has played second base, third base, shortstop and right field at Triple-A this year, and he will likely be the Yankees' starter at third against lefties after hitting .348 versus southpaws while with the RailRiders.

Solarte, a fellow minor-league signee last winter, had won the Yankees final bench job in spring training and played 71 games for the Yankees; overall, he hit .260 with six homers and 30 RBI, but after recording an 0-for-4 in Wednesday's loss to the Rays, he leaves after going 3-for-41 over his final 14 games.

Anna, acquired from the Padres last winter, began the year on the Yankees roster as the nominal backup shortstop and hit .136 with one home run and three RBI in 12 games; at Triple-A, he was hitting .192 with a homer and 14 RBI in 36 games.